Georgia secures last semi-final spot after defeating Malta 2-1
The final day of the group phase arrived with one question hanging over the sand: who would claim the last ticket to the semi-finals? By the time the sun dipped and the rakes came out, Georgia had answered it with grit, control and just enough cutting edge against a stubborn Malta.
Their 2-1 win completed the final four and capped a day that also saw Slovakia edge England in extra time and Latvia survive a late Azerbaijan surge.
Group A: Georgia 2–1 Malta – Kurdadze and Lomidze drag Georgia over the line
For a period, it felt like nobody wanted to blink.
Georgia and Malta opened in a tight, tactical gridlock, both sides locked into disciplined shapes, content to deny space rather than chase chaos. Chances were scarce, the first period played more in the head than with the feet, and the scoreboard stayed frozen at 0-0.
The tension finally cracked in the second frame. Georgia stepped higher, moved the ball quicker, and the pressure told. Kurdadze found the breakthrough, steering his side in front and jolting the contest to life.
Malta wobbled. Georgia sensed it.
Before the period was out, Lomidze struck to make it 2-0, a goal that felt like a heavy swing in a low-scoring beach battle. With a two-goal cushion and their defensive structure holding, Georgia looked to be cruising into the last four.
Malta refused to accept the script. The third period belonged to their chase. Bray pulled one back, dragging his team into contention and turning the final minutes into a siege. Georgia dropped deeper, dug in and trusted their shape again.
This time, it held. Under late pressure, they protected the 2-1 lead, closed the door, and with it, shut down Malta’s semi-final hopes. Georgia’s reward: a place in the last four and a growing sense that they can handle the tight, nervy games that define knockout tournaments.
Group B: Slovakia 4–3 England (aet) – Hrnčiar settles a thriller
If Georgia’s win was controlled, Slovakia and England produced the day’s wild ride.
England landed first. Hulme struck early in the opening period, giving the English side a platform and a touch of swagger. It didn’t last. Slovakia hit back with purpose, Turoň and Šmálik flipping the scoreline to 2-1 by the first break and seizing momentum.
The second period never loosened its grip. Slovakia nudged further ahead via an England own goal, only for Robinson to respond and drag the deficit back to 3-2. Every mistake felt costly, every finish loaded with consequence.
England refused to fade. In the third period, Friery found the equaliser that their persistence deserved, levelling it at 3-3 and forcing extra time. Suddenly, legs were heavy and every touch carried risk.
One moment decided it.
In the added period, Hrnčiar stepped up and broke the deadlock, his strike sealing a dramatic 4-3 win. Slovakia walked away with the result and, just as importantly, proof they can survive a high-pressure, back-and-forth contest when the margins are razor-thin.
Group B: Latvia 3–2 Azerbaijan – Sakne’s cushion proves just enough
Latvia’s path was narrower, but just as tense.
They edged ahead in the first period when Grīslis broke the deadlock, a clean finish that handed Latvia a 1-0 lead at the first break and allowed them to dictate tempo.
The second period opened up. Azerbaijan found their feet in front of goal, Orkhan levelling the match and asking questions of Latvia’s composure. The response was sharp. Ģēgers restored the Latvian advantage, making it 2-1 and giving his side something to protect going into the final frame.
Latvia didn’t just protect; they pushed. Sakne added a third, the kind of goal coaches call “the cushion” but players know is often the difference between calm and panic. At 3-1, Latvia looked in control.
Orkhan had other ideas. His second of the game for Azerbaijan cut the gap to 3-2 and turned the closing minutes into a test of Latvian nerve. They passed it, holding firm under late pressure to bank a hard-earned victory and carry momentum into the semi-finals.
What comes next
The group stage has done its job. The margins are clear: nobody is coasting into the final weekend.
Semi-finals:
- Norway vs Azerbaijan
- Latvia vs Georgia
Playoffs for 5th–7th place:
- Slovakia vs England
- Malta vs England
Georgia arrive with belief, Latvia with resilience, Azerbaijan with firepower, and Norway waiting to be tested. With the last four set, the sand is ready for answers that will define the tournament.
